Willy Hutchinson turned in a disciplined showing to outbox and, in the end, outclass the previously unbeaten Ezra Taylor over 10 rounds in Manchester. The unanimous scores for the victor, which seemed about right, were 98-92 (twice) and 99-91.

This would have been an unlikely matchup in the not-so-distant past. But the pair scuffled while watching Joshua Buatsi contentiously outscore Zach Parker last November and, in this zany sport, an out-of-the-ring scuffle is often all that’s needed to make a boxing match.

Hutchinson, in typical Hutchinson style, claimed he’d never heard of Taylor prior to that and dismissed his rival’s chances. He got to know him during the first couple of rounds, however. Taylor, the aggressor, had some success with his jab, made his physical advantages known, and there was an argument he was level after two.

But Hutchinson, 20-2 (14 KOs), was easing through the gears, it seemed. Offering enough of himself to set a trap, the Scot counter-punched effectively as Taylor, who was taking a sizeable step up in class, dutifully continued to march forward.

Taylor, the underdog, improved in the fifth. The jab remained his best weapon, both upstairs and down, but the classier Hutchinson seemed at ease, content with the slow pace. Even so, after six, on industry alone Taylor was just about in the fight.

By the end of the seventh, though, any suggestion that the Nottingham man might pull off an unlikely victory continued to fade. The considerably more experienced Hutchinson exhibited his class, kept the pace to his liking, and picked off the onrushing Taylor as and when was necessary. At the end of that round, Taylor’s coach Malik Scott – reminding him this was a huge chance to change his life – urged his man forward some more.

The 13-1 (9 KOs) Taylor obliged, albeit ineffectively. Hutchinson, by the end, was oozing class, bamboozling Taylor, and showing exactly how to handle an ambitious and strong opponent.

“Big massive respect to Ezra Taylor even though he hates me, probably even more now,” said a lively Hutchinson afterwards. “I believe I’m one of the best light heavyweights in the world and I showed it tonight. I am ready to become world champion, I want that next. Anyone can have it.”

Earlier, in the lightweight division, Josh Holmes moved to 18-0 (7 KOs) when he stunned Alex Murphy, 14-3, in the opening round of a scheduled 10. Holmes, surely the only person on the planet who can say they’re trained by Joe Gallagher and train actor Johnny Depp, started confidently but Murphy, tall and rangy, seemed to hurt him midway through the round.

But Holmes rallied to instigate a mini shootout. A right hand wobbled Murphy before a rousing left hook clattered home, violently spinning his head and sending him to the canvas. Just before the bell, Holmes floored Murphy down, his left doing the damage again. Murphy would just about beat the count but referee – at 3-09 – rightly rescued him as he suffered his first stoppage loss.